Mahone Bay concert series wraps up Sunday with Rhapsody Quintet

Halifax's Rhapsody Quintet performs at the final Music for Three Churches concert in Mahone Bay on Sunday at 3 p.m. - The Chronicle Herald

After 23 seasons, Music at Three Churches will present its final concert of classical music in the historic churches of Mahone Bay on Sunday at 3 p.m. in St. John’s Lutheran Church with Halifax’s Rhapsody Quintet.

Comprised of five classically trained musicians, Rhapsody has been performing original arrangements of music from eras past and present since the mid-1980s. Members are Jennifer Jones (violin), Shimon Walt (cello), Max Kasper (bass), Diana Torbert (piano) and Eileen Jones (clarinet).

The program includes classical works (Haydn Piano Trio No. 39 in G major, Rossini Duo for cello and double bass in D major, Milhaud Suite for violin, clarinet and piano, Op. 157b) and lighter fare, such as an arrangement of George Gershwin’s Girl Crazy, a Beatles tribute, tangos, an ABBA medley and Rhapsody’s arrangement of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Concerts have been held at St. James Anglican, St. John’s Lutheran and Trinity United in Mahone Bay since 1996.

The board has cited several factors to end the series, including decreasing audience numbers, a lack of new board members and financial pressures, according to a news release.

Tickets to the final performance are $25, $10 for students and free for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at Kinburn Pharmasave (Mahone Bay), Shop on the Corner (Lunenburg) or Strings & Things (Bridgewater).